Deaerating apparatus



March 25, 1952 E. CLINE 2,590,754

DEAERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. so, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 ZJ WZ. 6 1' e 1/ III! 1111/1/14 win- March 25, 1952 E. CLINE DEAERATINGAPPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 50, 1943 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 s/alygi'; 9 3/4I 514 Qwuwwbom [tia'zaz'n Z (Zine Patented Mar. 25, 1952 DEAERATINGAPPARATUS Edwin L. Cline, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to ClaytonManufacturing Company, Alhambra, Calii., a corporation of CaliforniaOriginal application August 30, 1943, Serial No. 500,591. Divided andthis application October 26, 1945, Serial No. 624,892

10 Claims.

. The present invention relates to liquid and gas separation apparatusand more particularly to deaerating apparatus for use in separating theair from the liquid of a hydraulic dynamometer apparatus, as set forthin my copending application Serial No. 500,591, filed August 30, 1943,entitled Hydraulic Dynamometer, and of which the instant application isa true division.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means foreffectively separating air from a liquid. I Another object of theinvention is to provide a device for separating air and liquid bycentrifugal force arranged in such fashion that the path of flow of theliquid is straightened out" before it leaves the device so that no airis entrained in the discharged liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide liquid and gas separationapparatus including means for preventing the gas containing liquid frompassing directly from the inlet to the outlet of said apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal gasand liquid separator including means for controlling the depth of thevortex' of the rotating liquid.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a liquid and gas separation deviceembodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

" Fig. 4 is a. horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2and particularly illustrating the shape of the inlet opening of thedevice;

Fig. 5 isa sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 andillustrating the manner in which bafile means is employed to prevent theliquid irompassing directly toward the outlet of the device; and

i Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken onthe line 6-8 bf 2' particularlyshowing the arrangement of'the vanes-in the lower section of the devicefor converting the whirling movementof the liquid upper end of the uppersection 300. The lower section 30l has an upwardly projecting flange 303(Fig. 2) on the rim thereof which is received in a mating recess 304 inthe lower end of the section 300, whereby the flange and reces'scooperate to maintain the sections 300 and 301 in vertical alignment.

The lower section 30! has a solid axial core 305 which is provided atits upper end with a threaded aperture 306. A plurality of radial vanes30'! extend outwardly from the core 305 and merge with the innerperiphery of the section 301. The vanes 307 terminate short of thebottom of the cup section 30| as indicated at 308. The vanes 301 alsoterminate short of the flange 303 and a circular baffle plate 309,slightly smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the section30!, rests flush upon the upper edges of said vanes. A wall portion 3l0oi the section 301 is thickened to form a pad that extends radiallyinwardly a sufiicient distance to partially underlie the baille 309, asis best shown in Figure 5. The thickened wall portion 3"] is providedwith an outlet opening 3 into which a pipe nipple 312 is threaded. Aliquid discharge hose section 253 has one end thereof connected with thenipple 312 and, its opposite end is connected with any suitableapparatus such as a heat exchanger; etc. (not shown).

The deaerator sections 300 and 30| and the cap 302 are maintained inassembled relation by a rod 3 t5, the lower end of which extends throughthe bafiie 309 and is threaded into the recess 306 in the core 305,-asshown in Fig. 2. The upper end of the rod 3!?) extends through the cover302 and a nut (H6 is threaded thereon and tightly clamps the partstogether. A'gasket 3H under the nut 3H5 prevents leakage along the rod315-.

The upper section 300 is provided with an in let duct 318 formedexteriorly thereof. .The inlet duct 318 has a threaded circular opening3|9 into which a pipe nipple 320 is threaded. An inlet hose section IE5is suitably connected with the nipple 320. Except for the circularopening 3), the inlet duct 3l8 is substantially rectangular incross-section and progressively decreases in width through the hose 253.

3 in Fig. 4. Hence, the liquid which passes through the duct 3l8 isintroduced into the section 300 with a rapid rotating or whirlingmotion. The effect of this is to cause the liquid to tend to moveradially outwardly by centrifugal force, thereby effecting a separationbf the air from the liquid, in a manner readily understood. The rapidwhirling motion imparted to the liquid produces a vortex, generallyindicated by the dot-and-dash lines 32l (Fig. 2), and the separated aircollects within this vortex. A washer or splash plate 322 is welded orotherwise secured to the rod'3 l adjacent the cover plate 302. The upperend of the rod 3l5 is provided with a longitudinal passageway 323. whichcommunicates with .the interior, of

the section 30l through a plurality of ventopenings 324 disposed betweenthe washer 322 and the inner face of the cover 302. The passageway 323and the vent openings 324 provide a means of escape for the airseparated from the liquid inthe deaerator. The washer or splash plate322 prevents the liquid from being splashed up into the vent openings324 so that the amount of liquid withdrawn fromthe deaerator with theair is maintained at a minimum.

A conventional coupling fitting 325 is'threaded into the upper end ofthe tube 3l5 providing the passageway 323 and an air discharge tube I5!is connected to saidfitting.

The periphery of the bafile plate 309 (see Fig.5)

isspaced from theinner wall of the section 30i to provide three arcuatepassageways 314 which permit liquid to pass from the section 300downwardly into the section 30! between the vanes 301. However, in viewof the fact that the baiile 309 overlaps the wall portion 3I0, it isimpossible for the liquid to pass from the section 30I directlydownwardly and out through the opening 3| l. Instead. the liquid mustpass downwardly through the recesses 3l4 and along the vanes 307, whichhave a straightening effect on the swirling liquid, and then passbeneath the loweredges 308 of said vanes and then into the spaceadjacentthe thickened wall 310 communicating with the outlet .opening 3| 1.

The depth of the air vortex 32 I in the deaerator is controlled so thatits apex does not-extend deeply enough to allow some of the air to passout of said deaerator with the liquid discharging Thus, the depth of theair vortex .32] may be controlledby making the air tube I51 of a givenpredetermined internal diameter so that the air will be withdrawn at adesired rate. In other words, the internal diameter of the tube I51 maybe made such as to constrict the rate of flow of air therethrough sothat a sufilcient air pressure above atmosphericpressure is maintainedwithin the upper housingsection 300 to assure the air vortex 32l of adesired depth. As an alternative means of controlling the depth of theair vortex 32 I, the vent openings or orifices 324 in the rod 3I5 may bemade such that their combined cross-sectional areas will create thenecessary restriction of the air discharging from the deaerator to suchrate as to give the desired depth to the vortex. Unless this depth iscontrolled by proper air discharge restrictions, an excess of air in thedeaerator will cause air topass into the outlet hose 253, or if the airpressure'is too low the upper housing section 300 will tend to fill upwith liquid and too much'liquid will be withdrawn through the tube I51with the discharged air.

The radial vanes 301iin the llowersection 30l of the deaerator, incooperation with theba'file 300, also serve to prevent the air vortex32! from being drawn downwardly by the velocity of the liquid to suchextent as to permit air to pass to the outlet hose 253. Thus, it will beapparent that the baiiie 309 restricts and permits downflow only at theperipheral spaces 3M and the straightening action of the vanes 30'!compels the swirling liquid to move downwardly, instead of rotatively,and thereby assists in maintaining an air vortex of the desired depth byfurther retarding liquid flow.

It will-be understood that the liquid is introyduced-into the deaeratorunder substantial pressure and is whirled therein at a high velocity.This velocityissuflicient to cause the liquid and air to becomeseparatedand the liquid in the lower sec- :tion 30 Lof the deaerator tobe forced into the outlet hose section 253. The pressure of the air inthe vortex 32l must,,of course, be sufliciently high to insure that theliquid will be forced into the outlet hose section 253, otherwise thedeaerator could not perform its intended function of air and liquidseparation. The separated air is, of course, removed from the deaeratorthrough the air tube [51.

Itwill also be understood that various changes may be made in thearrangement and details of construction of the liquid and gasseparation-device disclosed herein, without departing from theprinciples of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

It will be further understood'that the liquid and gasseparation devicedisclosed herein isof general utility'and is not limited to use with ahydraulic brake unit, although the same has been found to be highlysatisfactory for such specific use.

I claim:

1. A deaerating devicecomprising'an upper cylindrical section; a lowercup-like section; a cap forming a closure for the upper end ofsaid'cylindrical section, said upper cylindrical sectionhaving an'inletduct discharging tangentially into the interior of said section,wherebyliquid introduced through said inlet duct has'a rapidwhirling'motion imparted thereto to remove the air therefrom, said lowercup-like section having anaxial core and 'a'plurality of radial 'vanesextending outwardly from said core and merging with the inner surface ofthe side wallo'f said'lowercuplikesection, said radial vanesterminatingshort of the bottom of said lower cup -like section; .acircular bafiie plate resting uponsaidcore andthe upper edges of saidradial vanes, said bafileplate being smaller in diameter than theinternal ,diameter of said lower cup-like section, whereby .to provide.arcuate passageways .for liquid between said upper and lower sections;.a portion of the side wall of said lower cup-like section beingthickened and projectinginwardly .to. a point underlying-said circularbaflle plate; ,an outlet opening extending through .said thickened wallportion, whereby liquid ispreventedfrom passing di rectly from saidupper cylindrical section to said outlet opening; a rodextending-through said .cap and having a reduced end extending through.said

circular baiile :plateand threadedinto said axial per and lower sectionsand said cap member together, a plurality of vent openingsin said rodcommunicating with the interior of said upper section at a pointadjacent the inner surface of said cap; and a passageway in said rodextending upwardly from said vent openings.

2. A deaerating device comprising: an upper cylindrical section; a lowercup-like section, the lower end of said cylindrical section and theupper end of said cup-like section having mating flanges for maintainingsaid sections in registration; a cap forming a closure for the upper endof said cylindrical section, said upper cylindrical section having aninlet duct arranged exteriorly of said section and dischargingtangentially into the interior of said section, whereby liquidintroduced through said inlet duct has a rapid whirling motionimpartedthereto to remove the airtherefrom, said inlet ductprogressively decreasing in width and increasing in height in acircumferential direction from the entrance thereof to the point ofdischarge; said lower cup-dike section having an axial core and aplurality of radial vanes extending outwardly from said core and mergingwith the inner surface of the side wall of said lower cuplike section,said radial vanes terminating short of the bottom of said lower cup-likesection; a circular baflle plate resting upon said core and the upperedges of said radial vanes, said baflle plate being smaller in diameterthan the internal diameter of said lower cup-like section, whereby toprovide arcuate passageways for liquid between said upper and lowersections; a portion of the-side wall of said lower cup-like sectionbeing thickened and projectin inwardly to a point underlying saidcircular baffle plate; an outlet opening extending through said thiclened wall portion, whereby liquid is prevented from passing directlyfrom said upper cylindrical section to said outlet opening; a rodextending through said cap and having a reduced end extending throughsaid circular baflle plate and threaded into said axial core of saidlower sec: tion, the upper end of said rod projecting through said capmember and being externally threaded; a nut threaded upon saidprojecting end of said rod and-clamping said upper and lower sectionsand said cap member together, a washer secured to said rod at a pointspaced below said cap member; a plurality'of vent openings in said rodcommunicating with the interior of said upper section at a point betweenthe inner surface of said cap and said washer, and a passageway in saidrod extending from said vent openings to the upper end of said rod.

3. A deaerating device, comprising: a generally cylindrical housinincluding a side wall and top and bottom walls, said side wall having aninlet duct atits upper end arranged to discharge tangentially interiorlythereof, whereby liquid introduced through said inlet duct has a rapidwhirling motion imparted thereto to remove the air therefrom; bafiiemeans in the lower portion of said housing including a series of vanesextending inwardly from the inner surface of said side well, said vanesterminating short of said bottom wall, a horizontal baiile supported bysaid vanes, and a pad on said side wall in one of the spaces betweenadjacent vanes extending from vane to vane and underlying saidhorizontal baffle. said horizontal baffle being spaced from the innersurface of said side wall to provide passagegated cylindrical housinghaving a side wall and;-

ing having alconstantly open outlet at the lower;

end thereof for deaerated liquid, said outlet constituting the solemeans of egress for said deaerated liquid, said housing having arestricted air vent at the upper end thereof for restricting thedischarge of air separated from said liquid to create a back pressurefor aiding in producing an air vortex of a desired depth in said housingabove said horizontal baflle means, said horizontal and vertical bafllemeans retarding liquid flow and cooperating with said restricted airvent to aid in maintaining said air vortex in said housing.

5. A deaerating device as defined in claim 4.

including a splash plate fixedly mounted adjacent the air vent forpreventing liquid from splashing into said air vent.

6. A deaerating device, comprising: elongated- I cylindrical housingmeans having a side wall ways for liquid communicating with theremainand top and bottom walls, said housing having an inlet ductadjacent its upper end arranged to discharge liquid tangentially intothe interior thereof, whereby liquid introduced through said inlet ducthas a rapid whirling motion imparted thereto to centrifugally separateair therefrom, said housing having a plurality of radial vanes in thelower portion thereof extending inwardly from said side wall forinterrupting whirling movement of said liquid and causing said liquidto, move vertically downward, said radial vanes hav-f ing lower endsterminating close to said bottom wall; a circular baflle plate restinghorizontally,

upon the upper ends of said radial vanes, said baflle plate beingslightly smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of said housing,whereby to provide arcuate passageways for restricting liquid flow pastsaid balile plate to the spaces between the vanes therebelow, saidhousing having a constantly open outlet in said side wall for deaeratedliquid disposed below said baffle plate but above the lower ends of saidradial vanes, said outlet constituting the sole means of egress fordeaerated liquid; and restricted air vent means at the top of saidhousing cooperable with said baf fie means for aiding in maintaining anair vortex of a desired depth in said housing above said baffle plate.

7. A deaerating device, comprising: an upper cylindrical section; alower cup-like section sepa. rable from said upper cylindrical sectionand having a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall axially alignedwith said upper cylindrical sec-. tion; a cap formin a closure for theupper e d of said cylindrical section, said upper cylindrical section hving an inl t u arr nged to dischar e liquid tangentially into theinterior of said section, whereby liquid introduced through said in: letduct has a rapid whirling motion imparted thereto to centriiugallyseparate the air therefrom. said lower cup-like section having an axialcore extending upwardly from said bottom wall and u a plurality ofradial vanes extending outwardly from" said core andmerging with theinner surface of the side wall ofsaidlower.cup-likeis'ection, saidradial vanes having thelower ends thereof spaced from said. bottom wallof said lower cuplike section; horizontal bafile means above said radialvanes arranged to provide passageways of limited area to restrict liquidflow between said upper and lower'sections; a constantly'open outlet-fordeaerated liquid in said lower section and constituting the sole meansofegress for deaeratedliquid; means securing said cap and upper and lowersections in assembled relation; and restricted air vent means cooperablewith said baffle means'and vanesfor aiding inmaintaining an airvortex'of a desireddepth insaid upper section above said horizontalbaffle means.

8;A deaerating. device, comprising: an-upp'er cylindrical section;.alower cup-like section havingabottom wall and a side wall aligned withsaid upper cylindrical section; a cap forming. a closure for the upperend of said cylindrical section, said upper cylindrical section havingan inlet ductfor discharging liquid tangentially into the' interiorthereof, whereby liquid introduced through said inlet duct has a rapidwhirling motion imparted thereto to remove theair therefrom, said lowercup-like section having anaxial core and a plurality of radial vanesextendingoutwardly'from said core and merging with the inner surface ofthe side wall of said lower'cup-like section, said radial vanesterminating short of the bottom of said lower cup-like section; aremovable circular bafile plate resting horizontally uponsaid core'andthe upper edges of saidradi'al.

vanes, said bafile platebeing slightly smaller. in diameter than theinternal diameter of said lower cup-like section, whereby to providearcuate passageways for restricting liquid flow between said upper andlower sections, said lower cup-like section having a constantly openoutlet for liquid below said bafiie plate; a rod extending through saidcap having its lower end threaded into said axial core of said lowercup-like section,.the upper end of said rod projecting through said capmember and being externally threaded; means on. said projecting end ofsaid rod clamping said upper and lower sections and said cap membertogether; and restricted vent means for venting separated air from saidupper section to theatmosphere.

9. A deaerating. device comprising an upper cylindrical section; a lowercup-like section having a bottom wall and a sidewall aligned with saidupper cylindrical section; a cap forming a closure for the upper end ofsaid cylindrical section, said upper cylindrical section having an inletduct for discharging liquid tangentially into the interior thereof,whereby liquid introduced through said inlet duct has a rapid whirlingmotionimparted thereto to remove the air therefrom, said.

lower cup-like section having an axial core and a plurality of radialvanes extending outwardly from said core and merging with the innersurface of the side wall of said lower cup-like section,

said radial vanes terminating short of the-bottom of said lower cup-likesection; a removable circular baffle plate resting upon said core andthe upper edges of said radial vanes, said baliie plate being slightlysmaller in diameter than the internal diameter of said lower cup-likesection, whereby to provide arcuate passageways for restricting liquidflow between said upper and lower sections, said lowercup-like sectionhaving a constantly open outlet for liquid below said baiile plate; a

rod extending through said cap having. its

lower end threaded into said axial core of said lower section, the upperend of said rod projecting through said cap member and being externallythreaded; and means on said projecting end of said rod clamping saidupper and lower sections and said cap member together, said rod having aplurality of restricted vent openings communicating with the interior ofsaid upper section at a point adjacent the inner surface of said cap andalso having a passageway extending upwardly from said vent openings tothe exterior of said cap member.

10. A deaerating device as defined in claim 9. wherein a splash plate ismounted upon the rod adjacent the cap but below the vent openings.

EDWIN L. CLINE.

REFERENCES CITED The. following references are of record inthefile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,440,808 Wineman Jan. 2,19231,581,371 Weisgerber Apr. 20, 1926 1,661,685 Walker Mar. 6, 19282,010,435 Matheson Aug. 6, 1935 2,064,988 Risser Dec. 22, 1936 2,106,589Bigger et al Jan. 25,.1938 2,188,801 Worth Jan. 30, 1940 2,214,658Browning Sept. 10, 1940 2,295,101 Dunham Sept. 8, 1942 2,316,729 TryonApr. 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 482,594 Great BritainApr. 1, 1938 440,015 Germany Jan'.26, 1927 465,486 Germany Sept. 19,1928 118,330 Australia June 30, 1942

